Visitors from the Outside World

We were very fortunate to have both the Bloomers and Jeans visit from late December to mid-January.  After spending a couple days recovering from the 24 hours of travel (the Bloomers original flight was delayed and then they almost missed their connecting flight due to a delay) the grandparents were really to go. We first did some sight-seeing around Wanganui, including a tour of the hospital where Jen works.  Then we traveled for five days around the North Island (wish we could have had more time to show them the sights.) Then we spent another ten days touring around the South Island.  After their departure from the South Island back to the states, our family took an extra week on the South Island.

Our style of travel was pretty classic-three generations zipping around the windy roads of NZ in one large white 12 passenger van! We saw everything from glow-worm caves, to volcanic thermal parks, to mountainous rainforests strewn with countless waterfalls, to penguin and seal sanctuaries on picturesque beaches.  We stayed at holiday parks, home rentals and hotels, and ate at roadside stands, bakeries, and the comforts of our own "homes".

two of the generations in the van (the middle generation was in the front seat)

It was picturesque, inspiring, invigorating, exhausting, awesome and unforgettable.  And most of all, we are amazed at the fact that our parents made this trip across the world to see us. It was great to see them and re-connect with home.

Over the next several weeks, we hope to blog every day or so about all of our destinations.  In so doing, we hope our descriptions, videos and pictures live up to the adjectives we just listed.  For now, a quick toast to our parents and to the trip!

at beautiful Lake Tekapo, South Island, Jan 2016